SUNDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER
We slept till just after 6 and we were awake......we truly wanted to sleep later this morning, but for some reason we were bright as buttons........it was still dark, but we got up and showered anyway, then as it was the weekend we Skyped Kyle as he would be around all day.......not much was happening over there, which was good.
Breakfast was quiet this morning, not too many folks around and we kinda took it easy and chatted to some folks and enjoyed quite a decent breakfast.......fresh cinnamon bun had just been put out so I was first to get to that......it`s a weird breakfast and not one I would ever have at home......but we enjoyed it while we were there.......
It`s funny how at 6am we were wide awake, as we walked to the park I was yawning my head off......and then Tom started yawning too.......
Got into IOA........we didn't stop to take a lot of pictures at Port of Entry.....I have loads in previous trip reports, and as I said we were a bit tired this morning, we did however still admire how colourful and bright this area is, so well themed and when you take the time to look there are loads of little precious things that some people will miss. Like the voices near the top of the buildings....they`re funny when you hear them.........
However today we needed a good wake up, so we went straight to the Hulk........this is one way to wake you up in the morning........it was still quiet as it was just after opening so we got straight on and on to the front row......yay!!! This was an amazing ride this morning....and we bought the picture today....none of us looked demented......well sort of.....we went round again and did this 2 more times before I thought I might start to feel woozy......but, this ride is so different to last year.......your head isn't pummelled around the way it used to be......It`s not as smooth as Duelling Dragons, but so much better.........
Little bit of Spiderman is always fun.........this was a one and done this morning, as I think I had woozed myself out on the Hulk.......not the rides fault, but I am fine doing these big rides a couple of times, then a break......miss the days where I could go on Duelling Dragons and Hulk numerous times......Kyle`s record for DD was 26 times in a row.......never missed a beat........that`s youth for you!!
Kong was next on our travels today.......this is a good ride, lots of fun, but not spectacular......we would always ride it a few times especially with EP.......one day I would take pics of the full queue, but today we used EP again as regular queue was 60 minutes. EP once again was marvellous.
Our usual venture now is JP........we went on twice and both times came off dry.......I was sat behind quite a tall guy who got the brunt of the water the first time, second ride we were just lucky.......I have come off this ride anything from bone dry, a little sprinkled to fully drenched........don`t believe anyone who tells you that you wont get wet on this.....you can get soaked......not Popeye or Dudley soaked, but very wet.......I have a picture of my son 3 years ago where he is drenched.......
It had turned into the most beautiful day........and hot!!! Loving it......
Potter is always fun........we never tire of taking pictures here or just wandering around.......today we don't do FJ, just want to head round and do Duelling Dragons........
Duelling Dragons was probably one ride too many for me today........I had started to feel like I had a slight light headedness....it`s something I occasionally get, but not often......spinning around on coasters will do that though.....but we enjoyed it and decided no more rides today.......I think tiredness was playing a part too.......being up till after midnight and getting up at 6am every day was catching up on our old bodies.......so, we decided to get the Hogwarts Express to the Studios.
This was the second time we got held up by someone arguing they should be able to ride the HE without having a 2 park ticket.......they were trying to argue they didn't know.......well, no excuse.....they also didn't want to pay to upgrade.......and they weren't even being nice about it.......you got to feel for TM at times.......we got called to another TM and got through.........there is a nice little path that passes DD as you head to get the train......it`s cool to see the carriages passing so close.........
The journey is cute, and we get the carriage to ourselves which is nice......it`s a short journey and we are at The Studios in a couple of minutes.
We feel hot and tired now, so we decide to miss Gringotts and just go to Lombards for lunch. This restaurant is really nice, over the years it`s been a hit and a miss with quality and service. We like to give it a try though as it`s so pretty inside and menu is nice.
They tell us there`s a 10 minute wait, so we get some water to cool us down while we wait, although this restaurant is almost as cold as Mythos.....almost!
We get seated in a few minutes and our waitress is not overly friendly......this is one of the reasons we doubt going here.......but she was pleasant enough and like another waitress before seemed disappointed we weren't having alcohol......but regardless we checked the menu out and Tom decided on the beef dip sandwich and I had the crab cake sandwich without the bun........not the most appetising of pictures......but this is why we doubt Lombards.......
They actually tasted ok, but not what we would have chosen again. Again, we asked for the check and she tried to convince us to have a cocktail, coffee or desserts.......no interest in any. But the only time she smiled was when she finally brought the check......but, much as though we really like this restaurant I won`t rush back. Tom thought his tasted nice but not great.
By now we just wanted to go back to the room and have a snooze.......we had only done this once this trip, but felt we just needed it today. We planned to be out late tonight so it seemed a good idea. This was a long walk back today.....all I was imagining was a cool room and sleeping. But the heat was immense again.......eventually we got back to the hotel and went to the Club Lounge for a coffee and a Sprite........it`s so quiet in there during the day......but we went back down to room, finished our drinks and Tom sprawled out on one bed and was asleep in minutes. I however didn't feel tired anymore........so frustrating........
So, I brought out the pack of Hogwarts postcards I had bought earlier in the week......they were all nice, so I chose 8 to send to mum, my aunt in Long Island and friends.......thought I should finally write them. Postcards don't usually arrive till about 10 days after we got home, but I still send them anyway. However this year I posted them finally the following Friday and everyone go them 5 days later.......nice.
So, I was finishing writing them and Tom was still sleeping soundly, I sat and looked out the window for a while and was day dreaming and wishing I could sleep, then thinking I might as well go shower.......when my silent thoughts were disturbed by........our smoke alarm going off!!!
It was so loud.......Tom jumped up having no clue what planet he was on........I ran outside to notice there was no other alarms going off........now we were confused........Tom was calling down to someone to let them know......I looked back out and there was a security officer coming out of the room next to ours......we knew him from seeing him almost daily.....so told him our alarm was going off.....he said it was weird as the housekeeper had called him to say the power in the next room had gone off.........
We went out into the corridor when 2 maintenance men, 2 managers and someone else I wasn't quite sure who he was appeared and asked what had happened........they asked if I had sprayed deodorant or anything under it, told him no Tom was asleep and I was over by the window........so they all had a discussion and removed the offending alarm and replaced it, but it started going again........we at this point said we would go up to the lounge and wait, rather than stand and watch them........one of the managers said he would call up when they were done and make sure room door was closed properly.
So we trooped upstairs and regaled our story of how we were evacuated from our room.......well, sounds a bit more dramatic.....lol......so, we had another coffee and chatted away. It was only 10 minutes before one of the managers came up to tell us room was sorted and we could go back down. He was very apologetic and explained they thought the power being knocked out next door set our alarm off. But, we assured him it was fine.......we hadn't been inconvenienced at all, these things happen. But nice man, we hadn't met him before and as always told us to let him know if we needed anything.
But we went back to our room and yes this is very sad, but I did some ironing from a laundry load I had done........only tees and a couple of my dresses needed doing, didn't take long though and then we got showered and changed.
We were going back up to the lounge to have some wine before we went out for dinner to Yard House that was located by the Orlando Eye.
cleopenn............lovely to have you along with us..........
glad it's given you some help with things........and thank you for the nice comments of us as a couple.......we adore spending so much time together and truly enjoy every second 
And I will pass on the lovely compliment to my husband, he will be pleased........he`s kinda smiles and is happy most of the time.....not sure why being married to me....lol.....
